Jets and Stars to collide after sectional wins

May 22, 2012

COLLISION COURSEâ€”The Stars and Jets are destined to battle one more time this season, but tonightâ€™s sectional semi-final is for county bragging rights for a year. In an earlier contest this year, Alyssa Bluhm slides into second where Olivia Macklin awaits to tag on a steal attempt. (Photo by Cassandra Lehman)

BUTLER, IN—Both the Lady Starfires and Lady Jets found ways to advance to tonight's sectional semi-final with wins against their opponents in the opener on Monday night to earn the right to play each other for a spot in the championship.
Adams Central had the closer of the two contests in game one of the Eastside-hosted sectional playing an upstart Churubusco Lady Eagles team and pulling out a gritty, 2-1 decision thanks to two runs in the fourth inning.
Hits were at a premium for AC as they fought hard against 'Busco's Herendeen who went the distance going seven innings and only allowing the two runs on five hits walking four and striking out just one Lady Jet. The other side of the pitchers' duel was AC's Sydnee Peterson who also pitched a stellar contest allowing only one run while scattering seven hits throwing in one walk and five K's.
The Lady Eagles struck first with a run in the bottom of the opening frame. A one-out single by 'Busco's Labenz, then a Herendeen walk brought up Chandler Blake (AC coach Cary Blake's niece) who simultaneously made her uncle proud and sick with an RBI single to put the Eagles up, 1-0.
The score would stay that close until the fourth inning when Lindsey McDougall would get things started with a one out single. Olivia Macklin would walk the next at-bat and Madi Schwartz would do the same but not before fouling off SEVEN foul balls with a full count to earn the hard-fought base and load 'em up for AC.
Two days after closing their regular season with a pair of lopsided victories against Northeastern, South Adams took their road show to Eastside in the second game of the sectional double-header against the host-school, promptly ending their season with a five-inning affair that ended with the Lady Stars cruising, 10-0.
Sophomore pitcher Alyssa Bluhm pitched a gem of a game for her first shutout of the season in what SA coach Jessie O'Dell would call a "very efficient game."
The Starfire hurler went all five innings allowing only three hits and no runs to the Lady Blazers, while not allowing any free passes in the contest and striking out three.